The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-07


1t is signal evidence of the growing spirit
of fellowship among our ministers, and
their interest in their profession, that two
such meetings, for study and consulta-
ton, have been held with such excellent
results.
Fol owing the example of the program
we call the assembly just held "The Pas
tors Institute" But perhaps the more
fitting and comprehensive title would be
a Pastors Congress. The institute idea,
that OF school for professional study
and improvement in matters of pulpit
work, was merely outlined in the first In
stitute. 1t was even more dim and shad-
owy in the Institute just held. The only
attempt in the direction of special in
structionwas embraced in the Evolutionary
exercises conducted by Mrs. Noble and
the hrief critical reviews by Prof. st md
isb. The brief time allotted to these ex-
ercises, and the small share they had in
the practical working Of the Institute, is
evidence that the idea OF special study
was not the distinctive of the Institute.
In both these departments, if more time
had been allowed the accomplished teach
ere, the result would have proved more
satisfactory. If in future Institutes the
institute idea is to form part of the pro-
gram it will be necessary to devote more
time to such matters, and allow compe.
tent teachers an opportunity to teach the
branches entrusted to their care, Mrs.
Noble is an accomplished elocutionist
and in the front rank OF her profession;
but on this occasion it was not possible
to unfold her special system Of voice Gull
ture in the half dozen lessons which the
program allotted her. Prof. Standish is
very competent critic, but to ask him
to review in thirty minutes each day the
half dozen papers and special addresses
of the previous day was taxing even the
accomplished professors critical faculty
beyond it's strength. This all goes to
prove that the regular institute idea was
not prominent in the Institute, and that
more attention should be devoted to it
hereafter, or the special plan of institute
instruction abandoned altogether.
The Institute was more of Church
Congress than an Institute. In this re-
spect it was more advanced than the first
Institute held in 1885. The program
provided for large number Of papers
on special topics of theological, historical,
literary, social and reformatory interest
The program was we'll laid out and fran
ed with definite ends in view from the be-
ginning to the end. But it covered toe
much ground for exact fulflment even
with the failure OF several brethren to
appear to whom had been assigned top.
les. And, as arule, the papers presented
were so elaborate as to exclude all idea Of
special or satisfactory discussion. We
thin. it will be very generally agreed
that onehalf the number of papers which
were assigned at this Institute will be
amply sufficient on another occasion
May we also suggest that the adoption Of
the plan in force at the National Con
gress of churches, and the Episcope
Congress, of one paper at each session
and one address, to be followed by five
minute speeches, would be an improve
ment on the method at present in force
1t is certain that fewer papers and more
time for discussion would render the In
stitute more valuable to all who attend.
Notwithstanding the failure of the In
stitute to discuss at length several impor
tant papers, and the absence of severa
whose names appeared on the program
with important topics which were neces
sary TO the orderly development Of the In
stitute from day to day, the results of the
assembly were highly gratifying. The
interest, indeed, was cumulative. It is
the general opinion that the closing days
were among the very best of the extend
ed session. Words cannot describe the
impressive services on Tuesday afternoon
when the conservation meeting was held
and the Institute closed with the admin.
istration of the Holy Communion. Then
it was that the real fellowship meeting
was held, and the members of the insti.
tute realized that the meeting of 1887 was
a success in the highest and hottest
sense. In these impressive closing SER
vices, and in the devotional fervors of the
hour, the Institute reached its highest
usefulness and left its most enduring i'm
preston.